PRINCETON, W.Va. — A manpower shortage will slow the response for motor vehicle accidents in Mercer County. The Sheriff’s Department announced on Friday they would no longer be dispatched to car crashes.
“Until we get some manpower, probably all the crash calls will be going to the state police.” Mercer County Chief Deputy Joe Parks told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.
The decision was announced Friday by Sheriff Tommy Bailey. State Police commanders in Princeton says the detachment only has 14 troopers on duty and they would do the best they could to cover all accident calls.
The sheriff indicated while they answer all kinds of calls, their state duty in state code is to be responsible only for the county’s court system. During difficult times, the sheriff said any additional duties will be difficult to maintain.